Michael Eck CD release party at Caffe Lena

To say singer-songwriter Michael Eck is a renaissance man is actually a vast understatement. Aside from a brief foray to Austin, Texas, Eck has been a figure on the Capital Region music and arts scenes for decades now.
He’s played in bands of varying genres for years, from Chefs of the Future, E Plemnista, to the Stomplistics, more recently Coal Palace Kings, and currently Lost Radio Rounders and the ever-popular Ramblin’ Jug Stompers (where he plays mandolin, and yes, the jug).
But we’re not done yet. He’s produced Jim Gaudet, had his fine-art paintings displayed at galleries and was the host of WAMC’s Performance Place, securing many high-profile guests with his intriguing interview style.
Last but not least, he’s written for the Times Union since 1986 (when he was 21).
For years, he did “maximum solo acoustic,” folk music with an aggressive rock stance. And though that side of Eck has been somewhat dormant as of late, it’s about to make a thunderous return. On Sunday, Eck will release “In My Shoes,” his first solo CD in 10 years, with a concert at Caffe Lena.
Last week, at the urging of brother David, who suggested he make a record that sounded as he does onstage alone, Eck recorded a solo show at WEXT. Which means mixing, mastering and reproduction between then and Sunday, but obviously, Eck is a man used to deadlines.
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Caffe Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs
Tickets: $16
Info: 583-0022; http://www.caffelena.org— David Malachowski